In the final wash up, the clash between North Gambier and Millicent at Vansittart Park on Saturday is a tough analysis.

A competitive opening half pushed Millicent to a 10-goal half time lead and for the most part looked in control.

In the third quarter the Saints blew the game apart and given they only scraped to a two-goal victory the last time the two met in 2021, at three quarter time the scoreline was reminiscent of seasons’ past with a 16-goal buffer and no reason to assume it was set to be another 20-plus goal loss.

But the Tigers had other ideas and a 20-9 final quarter onslaught slashed the final margin down to just six goals.

The question now is, who are the real Saints and who are the real Tigers?

What we do know is both sides have game plans that revolve around getting the ball in the hands of their tall shooters and both delivered at the weekend.

Millicent’s Tabatha Sanderson netted 50 from 55 and Caroline Davey converted 46 from 48.

The final quarter in some ways showed how important both are – Sanderson suffered from lack of supply, netting seven from nine, while Davey had her best supply of the game and shot 18 straight.

One thing North might want to take note of, is the selection of Teneille Barry by the opposition as one of the two best players on the court, despite only joining the contest at half time.

Initially on the defensive wing, where she is a tight checking harassing player, and then on the attacking wing in the last where she found great connection with Davey.

In fact, in the end, it was the mid court battles where the game was essentially won and lost with Millicent’s centre Lucy Denton and Lisa Duldig, on her preferred defensive wing the dominant duo.

Their efforts made feeding into the North shooting circle difficult and as a consequence Porta McRae and Hannah Nitschke’s jobs were made a little easier in terms of denying scoring opportunities for the Tigers.

It is also safe to say the intensity North brought to the last quarter needs to be a four-quarter mission and the defensive pressure it applied across the court needs to become part of its DNA for the full 60 minutes if it wants to challenge in the finals, because the final 15 minutes of the weekend showed just what the side is capable of when at its best.

Casterton Sandford v West Gambier was not played due to the current Victorian lockdown and is pending given current ever changing COVID 19 restrictions.